Super Fitness Health BlogMusic UK 2012: Which Saffire Pro Audio Interface by Focusrite is best?
As an avid music fan since I was dancing in nappies to 2005 I decided to try my hand at creating, curating and recording my own digital music. I popped in to my local music store in Newcastle, SoundsLiveShop, and bought the original Focusrite Saffire Audio Interface. I was a complete beginner back then to Audio Interfaces and slowly began to get more competent. The Saffire by Focusrite provided a great way for me to record my guitar during my bands sessions. In 2008 Focusrite released the Saffire Pro Series of Audio Interfaces, I missed out on this range but I have recently been able to test out their latest offerings in the form of the 2012 editions of the Saffire Pro 14, Saffire Pro 24 and Saffire Pro 40 Series. Heres my take on these new audio interfaces from Focusrite.
If you do not know what an audio interface is then do not worry. In the world of musical instruments and equipment they are relatively new pieces of kit. An Audio Interface unit allows the musician or songwriter to get their idea of a concept down on a track. Simply plug in a guitar, keyboard, mic or other compatible instrument into a Focusrite Saffire Audio Interface and you are good to go. The best thing about the new wave of Focusrite Saffire Pro Audio Interfaces is the easy learning curve which the original version lacked. In my opinion the usability of the product as a whole has been much improved, from the UI in the accompanying software and effects, to the ease of use of the actual unit itself, musicians will be up playing and recording in no time.
I will try and keep this simple without getting all muso on you all, the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 is the best for beginners and newbies to audio recording and editing. With the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 you can simply plug a guitar, microphone or keyboard into the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 and start recording your own music. It really is that easy. I have had prior experience with other audio interfaces from other manufacturers and I have to say that the Saffire Pro 14 is by far and large the easiest to use. It features 8 inputs, 6 outputs, MIDI, and is suitable for all sorts of instruments from guitars and bass guitars to keyboards and microphones. It comes with easy to use effects software which allows you to control the onboard DSP mixer. The Saffire Mix Control software comes at no extra cost and is bundled with the hardware. The hardware itself is small and looks the part in any musicians audio and recording setup.
The Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 is a beefed up version of the last model. As a personal aside, I use this most out of the 3 units in the Saffire Pro range, it is perfect for my band and allows us to record demos and get songs down onto a track. It comes with 16 inputs, 8 outputs, MIDI and ADAT digital input. These extra ports open up a whole new world of opportunities and let you get a lot more sounds on the track. The Saffire Pro 24 by Focusrite is ideal for people who take their music seriously and bands who want to get their sound on a track easily and in high quality. The software package is the same as that described earlier in the Pro 14 and is ideal for intermediate users. If you need anything else then other software packages are available to buy.
The Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 is the biggest Focusrite Audio Interface of the bunch. Providing a massive 20 inputs, 20 outputs, MIDI and 8 premium Focusrite microphone pre amps. The Saffire Pro 40 provides project studio equipment at an affordable price, just under 400 pounds. As you can probably tell by the amount of inputs and outputs this audio interface is built for some heavy and expert use. Opt for the Saffire Pro 40 if studio quality sound is paramount and essential. It is a good looking piece of kit that will not look out of shape in any top end studio around the world. Highly recommended if you can get the best use out of it. My verdict is that this is the best audio interface at its price point, bar none.
The Saffire Pro 14 is extremely affordable, great quality and it is simply a breeze to use. For someone who is looking to record some music from their living room the Pro 14 has the best interface for a casual plug in and play type of setup. For its price you cannot go wrong with this audio interface. The Pro 24 is the next step up. It has more inputs, outputs and is more suited for band setups and practice rooms. The Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 really is the top level. This is a studio level piece of kit, only serious players need apply. Check them out at a specialist stockist such as SoundsLiveShop.
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